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[Joel Was Right]

A lot of the public sentiment surrounding this stems purely from the failure of the England WC bid. There has always been talk of corruption at FIFA, but the World Cup decision caused everyone to lose their heads; people are still salty.

England won't host the WC for at least another generation after this.

 

[FortuneFaded]

A lot of the public sentiment surrounding this stems purely from the failure of the England WC bid. There has always been talk of corruption at FIFA, but the World Cup decision caused everyone to lose their heads; people are still salty.

England won't host the WC for at least another generation after this.

The Panorama documentary on FIFA corruption was aired before the vote for 2018.

 

[PJV3]

I hope Blatter gets re-elected, he's created a cesspit, keeping his job after today will further prove that FIFA needs destroying. Let IFAB take over for a short time while something new is created to replace FIFA.

 

[Paganmoon]

His week off was last Sunday, He's back this week.

Ahh true, I think I blacked out a week hehe.

 

[Joel Was Right]

The Panorama documentary on FIFA corruption was aired before the vote for 2018.

The perception since the vote is considerably more hostile, not because of the documentary itself but the connotations of losing the vote. England lost the WC to Russia and Qatar - that is the popular perception. And as a result, the human rights issue of labourers - always present in that country - has since come to the public domain.

My point is this: people care more about their nation having lost the vote than the actual corruption.

 

[DarkFlow]

The perception since the vote is considerably more hostile, not because of the documentary itself but the connotations of losing the vote. England lost the WC to Russia and Qatar - that is the popular perception. And as a result, the human rights issue of labourers - always present in that country - has since come to the public domain.

My point is this: people care more about their nation having lost the vote than the actual corruption.

They're not mutually exclusive.

 

[giga]

“The indictment alleges corruption that is rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted both abroad and here in the United States,” said Attorney General Lynch. “It spans at least two generations of soccer officials who, as alleged, have abused their positions of trust to acquire millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks. And it has profoundly harmed a multitude of victims, from the youth leagues and developing countries that should benefit from the revenue generated by the commercial rights these organizations hold, to the fans at home and throughout the world whose support for the game makes those rights valuable. Today’s action makes clear that this Department of Justice intends to end any such corrupt practices, to root out misconduct, and to bring wrongdoers to justice – and we look forward to continuing to work with other countries in this effort.”

“Today’s announcement should send a message that enough is enough,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Currie. “After decades of what the indictment alleges to be brazen corruption, organized international soccer needs a new start – a new chance for its governing institutions to provide honest oversight and support of a sport that is beloved across the world, increasingly so here in the United States. Let me be clear: this indictment is not the final chapter in our investigation.”

“When leaders in an organization resort to cheating the very members that they are supposed to represent, they must be held accountable,” said Chief Weber. “Corruption, tax evasion and money laundering are certainly not the cornerstones of any successful business. Whether you call it soccer or football, the fans, players and sponsors around the world who love this game should not have to worry about officials corrupting their sport. This case isn't about soccer, it is about fairness and following the law. IRS-CI will continue to investigate financial crimes and follow the money wherever it may lead around the world, leveling the playing field for those who obey the law.”

 

[Macadinho]

It's funny how RICO was set up to combat bribery from the mob to US public officials & now it's being used to arrest another mob - FIFA

(As seen in American Hustle)

 

[speedpop]

Amazing. Truly amazing. Everyone thought they were untouchable.

 

[TCRS]

america fuck yeah! shameful display by european authorities who have looked away for years.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

And as a result, the human rights issue of labourers - always present in that country - has since come to the public domain.

Is this a problem?

If not, don't bring it up like it is a problem.

 

[jabuseika]

Burn it all to the ground, start over.

 

[Ding-Ding]

The perception since the vote is considerably more hostile, not because of the documentary itself but the connotations of losing the vote. England lost the WC to Russia and Qatar - that is the popular perception. And as a result, the human rights issue of labourers - always present in that country - has since come to the public domain.

My point is this: people care more about their nation having lost the vote than the actual corruption.

There is alot of hostility towards FIFA in the UK, no doubt about it. Yet like its been said that the media like Panorama and The Times gunning for FIFA before the bidding took place harmed Englands chances.

The bid itself was just a side show. England had the best technical bid (FIFA themselves said this) and arguably the best commercial bid as well. Yet they only got 2 votes out of 22, which was further not helped that Russia was apparently told they 'won' 24hrs before the vote took place.

The media was right to go after FIFA then, just as much as they would be right to feel vindicated now

 

[DarkFlow]

Oh FIFA you dickbags lol

FIFA is fully cooperating as injured party in the actions by Swiss authorities

FIFA welcomes actions that can help contribute to rooting out any wrongdoing in football. We understand that today’s actions by the Swiss Federal Office of Justice on behalf of the US authorities and the Swiss Office of the Attorney General (initiated by FIFA through the submission of the file on the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup bidding process) relate to different matters.

The second instance follows FIFA’s initiative of presenting the file on the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup™ bidding process to the Swiss Office of the Attorney General in November 2014. The authorities are taking the opportunity of the FIFA Congress to interview those FIFA Executive Committee members who are not Swiss residents who voted back in 2010 and are still in office.

 

[Fox318]

 

[Vagabundo]

I'm celebrating the potential that lives will be saved in Qatar as a result of this and that Russia, aka Homophobiastan, might not get more undeserved attention.

Too true. We have to remember the corruption goes far beyond a few fuckers lining their pockets.

There is no way Blather is clean. The FBI will just try to get the big boss by getting a few of the soldiers to flip.

 

[KooopaKid]

This makes me happy

 

[Kinyou]

Well done. It was about time.

She moves like the Alien Lady from Mars Attacks

 

[Frozenprince]

I don't even like soccer but I am so glad that countries might FINALLY be starting to fight bac against the rampant corruption that has permeated professional sports.

FIFA is just the start (and rest assured now that this is a RICO case we're not just talking about Blatter being arrested, we're talking about the whole thing coming down).

I care a lot more about this because of the slave labor in Quatar, as well. Things need to get out of there, fast.

 

[Shpeshal Nick]

Hopefully their shit gets fucked up.

 

[Joni]

Oh FIFA you dickbags lol

FIFA is fully cooperating as injured party in the actions by Swiss authorities

It is not that surprising, FIFA has always used their innate knowledge of Swiss law to their benefit. It would be strange for them not to use their army of lawyers.

 

[siddhu33]

IOC next pls?

 

[DarkFlow]

It is not that surprising, FIFA has always used their innate knowledge of Swiss law to their benefit. It would be strange for them not to use their army of lawyers.

You seem to be the only one who thinks this shit is not a slam dunk, guess there has to be one of you. Please don't vanish into the night when you turn out to be wrong.

Anyway I was making fun of the fact they called getting arrested "The authorities are taking the opportunity of the FIFA Congress to interview those FIFA Executive Committee members"

 

[Bananajama]

About damn time

Love the spin FIFA/Blatter are trying to put on it saying they instigated and welcome this investigation

I think we'll find Chuck Blazer had a lot to do with it

 

[CyclopsRock]

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has confirmed that Qatar remains the birthplace of football and no investigation will change that.

Criminal charges against senior FIFA officials, and investigations into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids, will not have any effect on Qatar’s proud history as the mother of the beautiful game.

Blatter said: “Every since Yusuf al-Webb Ellis first kicked a ball, made from an inflated camel’s bladder, between two sand dunes in 1320 the Qatari nation has been football mad.

“So many moments of Qatar’s history are footballing ones; the Bin Matthews final of 1953, the benevolent rule of Emir Pelé under which the country gained independence, and of course the 1966 World Cup win against the United Arab Emirates.

“Who can forget the famous commentary, ‘Some of the crowd are on the pitch, they will be flogged and their wives will be flogged and they will die like dogs. It is over for them now.’”

Blatter confirmed that the 2022 World Cup, which will take place in Qatar’s green and pleasant valleys which are currently off-limits to journalists, will take place as planned.

He added: “And I will still be president. Or there will be no more football. It is your choice.”

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport...e-home-of-football-says-blatter-2015052798633

 

[Beefy]

Amazing. Truly amazing. Everyone thought they were untouchable.

Until we see Blatter in cuffs, some still are. I still think the leagues should pull out of FIFA and create their own organisation

 

[Macadinho]

“And I will still be president. Or there will be no more football. It is your choice.”

What the fuck, he's gone mad. I wish the big leagues in Europe and UEFA would have the balls to break away from FIFA.

 

[oti]

Is this the French Revolution of Football?

 

[Renekton]

You seem to be the only one who thinks this shit is not a slam dunk

That makes me too.

I'm thinking an organization as big as FIFA would be well-versed in dealing with the legal system of various countries.

 

[Frozenprince]

As long as not one more slave dies because of this. It's a victory. No matter WHAT else happens.

What the fuck, he's gone mad. I wish the big leagues in Europe and UEFA would have the balls to break away from FIFA.

Brah, the Daily Mash is basically the English Onion.

 

[Parham]

What the fuck, he's gone mad. I wish the big leagues in Europe and UEFA would have the balls to break away from FIFA.

It's a satirical article.

 

[Duffman]

What the fuck, he's gone mad. I wish the big leagues in Europe and UEFA would have the balls to break away from FIFA.

dude that's satire

 

[DarkFlow]

That makes me too.

I'm thinking an organization as big as FIFA would be well-versed in dealing with the legal system of various countries.

If you think the DOJ would bother tipping their hand like this if they weren't 100% sure they could get them back to the US, I dunno what to tell you. They have a 93% conviction rate for a reason, they don't take chances.

 

[dondarm]

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport...e-home-of-football-says-blatter-2015052798633

Pfft, UAE got robbed in 1966.

 

[thefro]

If you think the DOJ would bother tipping their hand like this if they weren't 100% sure they could get them back to the US, I dunno what to tell you. They have a 93% conviction rate for a reason, they don't take chances.

Yep, the FIFA folks who took bribes are all screwed.

Just a matter of time until the people from this group of arrested start flipping. They're rich and don't want to spend years in jail.

 

[danm999]

The perception since the vote is considerably more hostile, not because of the documentary itself but the connotations of losing the vote. England lost the WC to Russia and Qatar - that is the popular perception. And as a result, the human rights issue of labourers - always present in that country - has since come to the public domain.

My point is this: people care more about their nation having lost the vote than the actual corruption.

I've seen this floated a few times and it just doesn't seem very convincing since Qatar has been the overwhelming focus of controversy and England simply didn't lose the bid to Qatar.

Besides, the human rights abuses and deaths coming out of Qatar are objectively horrifying. If you're only rejoinder is to say that situation is only now being rightly criticized thanks to nationalism, well, I think I'd chock that one up as a win for nationalism.

 

[Bo Knows GAF]

Holy shit, just seeing this now. Wow! Can't say I'm upset

 

[frankie_baby]

It's a satirical article.

dude that's satire

That ain't no satire

 

[El Topo]

The perception since the vote is considerably more hostile, not because of the documentary itself but the connotations of losing the vote. England lost the WC to Russia and Qatar - that is the popular perception. And as a result, the human rights issue of labourers - always present in that country - has since come to the public domain.

My point is this: people care more about their nation having lost the vote than the actual corruption.

Probably not too far away from the truth.

I've seen this floated a few times and it just doesn't seem very convincing since Qatar has been the overwhelming focus of controversy and England simply didn't lose the bid to Qatar.

Besides, the human rights abuses and deaths coming out of Qatar are objectively horrifying. If you're only rejoinder is to say that situation is only now being rightly criticized thanks to nationalism, well, I think I'd chock that one up as a win for nationalism.

I think I vaguely remember that it was (mostly) English newspapers that immediately started campagning after Qatar won. I wish this was a signal for people to finally care about the human rights of labourers, but I doubt it. That doesn't mean the criticism is invalid, it absolutely is valid.

 

[Plinko]

They say Russia and Qatar will still have the World Cup, but I can see advertisers start backing out now, which will probably change that.

 

[massivekettle]

How can a US ruling affect FIFA, though?

And this definitely means no World Cup in the USA for the next millenium, and the US team is pretty much guaranteed to lose all of its matches littered with questionable penalties and red cards.

 

[Lilalaunebaer]

I´m only 7 pages in, but USA! USA! USA!

It´s soccer now.

 

[DarkFlow]

How can a US ruling affect FIFA, though?

And this definitely means no World Cup in the USA for the next millenium, and the US team is pretty much guaranteed to lose all of its matches littered with questionable penalties and red cards.

FIFA can't do much if everyone is in jail.

 

[Dutch Gronk]

They say Russia and Qatar will still have the World Cup, but I can see advertisers start backing out now, which will probably change that.

"Fifa trying to spin this into being okay" - press conference, presented to you by their proud sponsor Adidas #AnythingIsPossibleIfYouPayEnough

 

[Zaph]

How can a US ruling affect FIFA, though?

And this definitely means no World Cup in the USA for the next millenium, and the US team is pretty much guaranteed to lose all of its matches littered with questionable penalties and red cards.

FIFA is just a group of people. If those people do anything illegal via US means (e.g. moving money using US banks or a US ISP), they can come after you unless you're in a country without an extradition treaty or diplomatic relations.

 

[D4Danger]

They say Russia and Qatar will still have the World Cup, but I can see advertisers start backing out now, which will probably change that.

I think Russia will keep there's for 2018 but I could see another vote for 2022 now

One thing's for sure, the US and UK won't be winning any world cup bids this century

 

[patapuf]

Probably not too far away from the truth.

The vote is unpopular in pretty much all of europe though, not just the UK. While it may play a role there, the combo of both Russia and Katar raised a few eyebrows more than usual.

 

[Syntsui]

If they can't even get Blatter, this is just meaningless. The guy will be extra cautious now and nothing will ever happend to him. This piece of shit will be president again and nothing will change, I have no hope at all.

 

[El Topo]

The vote is unpopular in pretty much all of europe though, not just the UK. While it may play a role there, the combo of both Russia and Katar raised a few eyebrows more than usual.

I don't know. Most complaints seemed to be regarding a delay of the season, otherwise it was just the usual bafflement. UK definitely seemed much, much more invested.

 

[BigDes]

This is all complete unnecessary. There was a FIFA investigation into corruption that found that there was no corruption in FIFA. I think we can trust FIFA, guys.